Marine Fisheries

Dr. Louis B. Daniel III, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective 12:01a.m. Friday, January 1, 2016 the following restrictions will apply to the recreational fisheries for snapper-grouper:

I. Permit Requirements

A. It is unlawful to sell or offer for sale any species of the Snapper-Grouper complex taken or possessed under the recreational bag limits specified in 50 CFR Part §622.187(b) unless the vessel owner has been issued a valid Federal Commercial South Atlantic Snapper Grouper Permit.

B. For a vessel with both a valid Federal South Atlantic Charter/Headboat Permit for Snapper Grouper and a valid Federal Commercial South Atlantic Snapper Grouper Permit it is unlawful to exceed the recreational bag limits for snapper grouper species when fishing with more than four persons (including captain and mate) on board, or when carrying paying customers.

C. For a vessel with both a valid Federal South Atlantic Charter/Headboat Permit for Snapper Grouper and a valid Federal Commercial South Atlantic Snapper Grouper Permit it is unlawful to sell or offer for sale any species of the Snapper Grouper Complex harvested when fishing with more than four persons (including captain and mate) on board or when carrying paying customers.

II. Black Sea Bass, south of Cape Hatteras (35° 15.0321’ N. Latitude)

A. It is unlawful to possess black sea bass less than 13 inches total length.

B. It is unlawful to possess more than five (5) black sea bass per person per day.

B. It is unlawful to possess black grouper or gag grouper less than 24 inches total length.

C. It is unlawful to possess red grouper, yellowfin (fireback) grouper, yellowmouth grouper or scamp less than 20 inches total length.

D. It is unlawful to possess shallow water grouper species taken from the waters under the jurisdiction of North Carolina or the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council from January 1 through April 30. Shallow water grouper species include gag grouper, black grouper, red grouper, scamp, rock hind, red hind, coney, graysby, yellowfin grouper and yellowmouth grouper.

E. It is unlawful to possess snowy grouper except from May 1 through August 31 each year, subject to the bag limits in XVI.B.